Strategic restructuring of Amerijet completed in partnership with company stakeholders

Amerijet International Airlines, a leading provider of global air cargo services, announced today that it has completed a successful financial & operational restructuring to enhance the Company's capital structure and support go-forward operations. The consensual restructuring transaction includes (i) the return of six B757 aircraft to lessors, (ii) modifications to our go-forward obligations on the B767 fleet, and (iii) a $55 million capital infusion from its existing lenders. In concert with the restructuring are a set of strategic and operational initiatives, including utilizing an all-B767 fleet with a reduced non-pilot headcount that is aligned with the right-sized fleet and current business demand.

"With this restructuring, Amerijet is now in a stronger operating and financial position to serve its customers for the long term with the quality of service they have come to expect. The current air cargo environment demands agility and disciplined operational excellence. This definitive action will protect our position as the cargo carrier of choice in our markets," said Joe Mozzali, Chief Executive Officer of Amerijet. "We are pleased that we were able to complete this restructuring with the support of our investors and lessors. Our ability to execute this transaction consensually is a strong signal of the strength of our brand, the commitment of our employees and the significant opportunities ahead for Amerijet. These strategic actions have strengthened the Company's financial foundation, ensuring its scheduled service, and contract flights will continue to operate as usual."

Amerijet has continued to serve all its existing customers with safe, and reliable service. On time performance in the December quarter end was 94.8% for our contract business while our core scheduled service segment achieved a 97.5% completion factor, a 2% year-over-year improvement. We thank the entire Amerijet team, including our pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, and operational teams for delivering a strong peak season performance. Despite a difficult demand environment, Amerijet's December quarter 2023 airfreight volumes in its core scheduled service segment increased 8% versus 2022 and 3% versus the December quarter end for the pandemic year of 2020. The 8% growth in scheduled service volumes was achieved with 10% less flown block hours as Amerijet continues to execute its network optimization strategy. These strong service levels have propelled recent customer wins including a new contract operating four weekly frequencies between Bogotá and Miami as well a new multi-year contract transporting a global integrator's express and cargo volumes in Central America and the Caribbean.

Amerijet is represented in this matter by Sidley Austin LLP as legal counsel, FTI Consulting as financial advisor, and FTI Capital Advisors as investment banker.

Supernal Debuts eVTOL Product Concept at CES 2024

Hyundai Motor Group's Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company – unveiled S-A2, its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle product concept at CES 2024. The pilot-plus-four-passenger vehicle marks the latest milestone in Supernal's roadmap to commercialize safe, efficient and affordable everyday passenger air travel.

S-A2 builds on the Company's vision concept, S-A1, which it debuted at CES 2020, bringing together the innovative aerospace engineering and Hyundai Motor Group automotive aesthetic design to create a new mode of transportation to get people in urban areas from point A to point B faster. Supernal will achieve commercial aviation safety levels and enable affordable manufacturing of its vehicles as it prepares to enter the market in 2028.

"From the beginning, Supernal has been on a mission to create the right product and the right market at the right time," said Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. "The unveiling of S-A2 demonstrates our unwavering commitment to deliver on that mission with a safe, efficient vehicle design that provides a clear path to market entry. By leveraging our talented 600-person team, the vast technical and business capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group and trusted aviation suppliers around the world, Supernal is ready to deliver a new era of flight."

Technical Components

S-A2 is a V-tail aircraft designed to cruise 120 miles-per-hour at a 1,500-foot altitude to meet typical city operation needs of 25- to 40-mile trips, initially. It features a distributed electric propulsion architecture and has eight all-tilting rotors. At entry into service, Supernal's vehicle will operate as quietly as a dishwasher: 65 dB in vertical take-off and landing phases and 45 dB while cruising horizontally.

The vehicle is designed with a priority on safety and a focus on sustainability and passenger comfort. Engineered to achieve the global commercial aviation standard of safety, it has a robust airframe structure including redundant components in critical systems such as powertrain, flight controls and avionics. The all-tilting rotor configuration will power the vehicle through both the vertical-lift and horizontal cruise phases of flight with unique efficiency. To maintain superior quality while also being cost-effective, the vehicle will be manufactured leveraging Hyundai's mass production capability.

Thai AirAsia retains position as airline with best on-time performance in Thailand.

Thai AirAsia (FD) has maintained its position as “Most On-Time Airline in Thailand” with an On-Time Arrival rate of 82.52%, which also gave it a Top 3 position among all airlines in Asia Pacific and 7th among global low-cost carriers, according to the On-Time Performance Review 2023 of leading airline analyst institute Cirium.

Mr. Santisuk Klongchaiya, Chief Executive Officer of Thai AirAsia, pointed out that “2023 was a year of continual recovery for the company and airline, during which we faced challenges in terms of managing our fleet to meet travel demand and maintaining the on-time performance as a top priority, while at the same time adhering to the strictest safety procedures.”

“We know safe, affordable and reliable air travel is important to our guests so it’s important to us also. Being an on-time performance winner at the Asia Pacific and global levels every year has become a mark of pride  as it reflects on our efficient management and the contribution and hardwork of all our Allstars,” Mr.Santisuk said.

As well as being safe and affordable, Thai AirAsia has made on-time performance a key priority and turned it into a nationwide advertisement campaign in Thailand in 2023 which was also shared on all its media and social media channels. The  campaign reinstilled the message of  the importance of being on time in every aspect of our life for the shared progress of all. Thai AirAsia has shown its attention to being on time consistently by making on-time performance a tangible and measurable part of its identity.

Stansted set to welcome new routes in 2024

From Jordan to Florence, there are some exciting new flights that will be taking to the skies from London Stansted in 2024.

12 new services will be added to the airport's departure boards, giving people even more access to destinations from their local airport.

London Stansted serves more European destinations than any other UK airport and the new services will further strengthen its current route network, which now covers over 190 destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Amman, Jordan – Royal Jordanian

An exciting new route will be added this spring when Royal Jordanian Airlines launches flights to Amman, Jordan’s capital. The flag carrier, a member of the oneworld Alliance which includes British Airways, will operate three flights a week starting March 3, increasing to four weekly flights during peak summer.

Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays using the airline’s new Airbus A320 neo fleet with one-way fares from London starting at £257. The Stansted to Amman leg will depart mid-afternoon at 3.45pm and arrive at Queen Alia International Airport at 10.35pm.

Nice, Florence and Ibiza – British Airways

Emirates reveals its ‘vegan vault’ of 300 recipes as demand for plant-based cuisine increases by 40%

As global interest peaks in Veganuary - an initiative that has highlighted the benefits of a vegan diet for the last decade, Emirates has noted a surge of 40% in customer demand for plant-based meals. To meet this demand in 2024, Emirates will introduce an array of new vegan dishes onboard and in lounges later this year, adding even more dishes to its ‘vegan vault’ of more than 300 curated plant-based recipes.

Emirates vegan meals: Bitesize Breakdown

In 2023, Emirates has more than 300 vegan recipes in rotation across 140 destinations, up from 180 recipes in 2022.

In 2023, Emirates served more than 450,000 plant-based meals onboard, an increase from 280,000 plant-based meals served in 2022.

Vegan meal consumption has grown 40% year on year in line with passenger volumes, but in some regions, consumption has exceeded passenger volume growth -  such as  Africa with an additional 4% increase, Southeast Asia with an additional 5% increase, and the Middle East showing a significant additional increase of 34%.

The biggest increase in consumption of vegan meals occurred in Economy Class.

Significant increases were noted specifically on Emirates routes to China, Japan and the Philippines.

Many Emirates Cabin Crew are also embracing a plant-based diet, as Emirates introduced vegan meals for Cabin Crew in 2018.

Emirates vegan cuisine in every class

In Economy class, Emirates customers can enjoy moreish dishes like chickpea crepe stuffed with carrot, peppers, mushroom and tomato concasse, experience a textured pumpkin frittata, tuck into a tofu tikka masala or enjoy a hearty chickpea kale stew with parsley pilaf rice and baby spinach. Scrumptious vegan desserts in Economy include a coconut mousse with mango compote, moist banana cake with chocolate crumble or luscious chocolate pudding with cocoa soil.

In Premium Economy class, customers choosing vegan cuisine will be served nutritiously delicious dishes like jackfruit curry with basmati rice, or a rich squash chestnut stew followed by a light chocolate tofu cheesecake or a smooth and satisfying raspberry parfait with a pop of orange compote.

In Business class, a range of elegant and creatively curated dishes are offered including roasted cauliflower with ancient grains, caramelised pear and lovage pesto or a warming ragout of Asian tofu and shitake mushroom with glass noodles. Customers who have room for dessert can feast on a tropical coconut pineapple cake or indulge in a chocolate cheesecake accented by a dark chocolate cigar and strawberry compote.

AirAsia ushers in new year with grand sale

AirAsia launches its first major sale of the year featuring a myriad of discounted seats across its expansive flight network.

AirAsia guests can now enjoy an amazing 24% off flights on a wide selection of destinations across the airline’s extensive and growing network. Unearth the wanderlust in you by exploring picturesque and scenic cities in Asean and beyond such as Langkawi, Kuala Terengganu, Krabi, Jakarta and more. Looking for more adventures across the seas? Make your way to shopping havens Tiruchirappalli, Colombo, Kunming and much more for a cultural and shopping experience like no other. Those wishing to spread their wings further can head to AirAsia X’s popular destinations ‒ Almaty, Taipei, Melbourne, Shanghai, New Delhi and so much more.  Book your discounted flights from now till 14 January 2024 and let your adventures take flight from 22 January to 30 November 2024! Grab your seats on the airasia Superapp or www.airasia.com. 

As AirAsia continues to grow its network this year, the airline also announces a new route operated by AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK) and a highly-anticipated one for many ‒ connecting  Kuala Lumpur with India’s famed gem in the north; the pink city of Jaipur. Known as the jewel of the Rajasthan state, Jaipur is world-renowned for its vintage forts dating back to the 16th century as well as the majestic Jal Mahal ‒ just to name a few. To celebrate this new connectivity to Jaipur which will commence on 21 April 2024, AirAsia is offering promotional fares to the city from RM209* all-in-one way, and from INR7,999* from Jaipur to Kuala Lumpur. Book from 9 January till 23 January 2024 and fly between 21 April 2024 and 19 March 2025.

Emirates A380 returns to Vienna

Emirates is welcoming the new year in Austria with great news: From 21 February until the end of the winter flight schedule - 30 March 2024, the flights EK127 and EK 128 which are currently operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be upgraded to a three-class A380 aircraft, boosting capacity and adding more options for travellers to and from Vienna.

Emirates’ flight EK127 leaves Dubai at 08:55hrs and arrives in the Austrian capital at 12:25hrs. The return flight EK128, departs Vienna at 15:10hrs and arrives in Dubai at 23:40hrs. All times are local.    

Emirates passengers travelling from Vienna will once again enjoy the unique experience offered by the world's largest passenger aircraft, including first-class suites and shower spas, the onboard lounge and, of course, the best international and regionally inspired cuisine. The award-winning in-flight entertainment system ice offers up to 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment. 

Elisabeth Zauner, Country Manager of Emirates Austria, is delighted about the return of the Emirates A380 to Vienna: "The deployment of our A380 until the end of the winter schedule is a great milestone for us, which emphasises the importance of Vienna as a destination and as a departure point. We naturally hope that our flagship will return permanently in the future." 

Vienna has had to do without the Emirates A380 since August 2022. With this change in the winter flight schedule, an expression of the airline's dynamic and demand-oriented fleet planning, Emirates will now be the only airline to serve Vienna Airport with the two-deck fan-favourite A380. The evening flights EK 126 and EK 125 will continue to be operated as usual with a B777-300 ER.

In order to guarantee a particularly high standard of comfort for passengers, the Emirates A380 offers 14 seats in First Class, 76 in Business Class and 429 seats in Economy Class on the Vienna-Dubai route. The use of the A380 means that almost 40% more passengers can be transported, which emphasises the importance of Vienna as a location and highlights the demand for long-haul travel via Dubai. Freight capacity on the Vienna-Dubai route will not increase as a result of the change of aircraft type. 

Emirates is the largest operator of the A380 aircraft in the world with 116 aircraft currently in its fleet. Nearly 90 A380s are currently in service across Emirates’ global network, including to popular destinations Bangkok, Mauritius, Denpasar/Bali and Sydney. 

XO Innovates the Private Aviation Industry

XO, the world's premier private aviation network, innovates and modernizes private aviation to significantly benefit private flyers. Utilizing AI, machine learning, data design, and predictive analytics, XO offers a cost-efficient alternative to private jet ownership and home-based fleet models and delivers instant, transparent real-time pricing for greater convenience and time savings.

Leona Qi, President U.S. at Vista said: “As part of Vista, XO continually innovates the private aviation industry by offering instant and transparent flight options, giving flexible flyers optimal value and choice. As a group, our globally optimized business and fleet model surpasses jet ownership and clients choose us because of this. Innovation is the future of the industry — we’re proud to lead the way.”

Providing four times greater utilization than personal jet ownership.

XO propels innovation by leveraging augmented intelligence to enhance performance dramatically. Greater utilization delivers pricing and availability benefits to XO clients, making the industry more efficient. Since 2022, aircraft utilization through XO has soared by 125%, marking a significant leap in operational efficiency.

Lynx Air adds Charlottetown to its growing network

Lynx Air has announced the addition of Charlottetown to its ever-expanding flight network, with the service starting on 30th May this year. Charlottetown will be the 22nd destination served by Lynx across North America.

Initially, there will be four flights in and out of Charlottetown per week starting on May 30, 2024, increasing to six flights per week in and out of Charlottetown from June 10. The Charlottetown – Calgary flights will operate as “through flights” with a short stop in Toronto, offering a seamless journey, with a single boarding pass, bags checked through to the final destination, and no need to deplane in between.

“We are pleased to be expanding our services to Charlottetown in response to strong demand from travellers,” said Vijay Bathija, Chief Commercial Officer of Lynx. “Whether you are travelling to connect with friends and family or to discover the natural beauty of PEI’s coastline, world class seafood or Island hospitality, Lynx is proud to make this beautiful province accessible to more Canadians with our ultra-affordable fares. Fares to and from Charlottetown start from as low as $59.00* one way, including taxes."

“The Province of Prince Edward Island is pleased to be welcoming Lynx Air, and its guests, to our province,” said Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture Cory Deagle. “Reliable air access to and from key destinations is important to support trade, tourism and population growth in our province. We will continue to work with the Charlottetown Airport Authority and air partners to give travellers more options.”

“YYG Charlottetown Airport is pleased to welcome Lynx Air and their ultra-affordable fares to Prince Edward Island,” says Doug Newson, CEO of the Charlottetown Airport Authority. “Lynx provides another attractive option for those wishing to experience our world class tourism product and Islanders looking for a low fare option to two of our most popular destinations. We welcome Lynx to YYG and look forward to working with them to ensure their entry here is a successful one.”

NICHOLAS AIR adds a Gulfstream G600 to its fleet

NICHOLAS AIR has added a Gulfstream G600 to its growing fleet of owned and operated private aircraft, the company confirmed this week.

The Gulfstream G600, widely known as the ultimate in private jet luxury, marks NICHOLAS AIR’s entry in the ultra-long-range market and worldwide dispatch and operational capabilities. The aircraft, wholly owned by the company, has seating for up to 13 passengers aboard the state-of-the-art platform. The cabin of the G600 features whisper-quiet technology, a lower cabin altitude, and the largest windows in its class, allowing for an unmatched luxury experience that leaves the passenger with a smoother flight and a more relaxing, restful, restorative journey.

To access the G600, NICHOLAS AIR offers its new STEEL JET program, the combination of its already renowned flight program and the new NICHOLAS LIFESTYLE portfolio, giving its Members access to a wide range of custom homes, experiences, and amenities that are complimentary within the new STEEL JET program. 

The aircraft, already previewed with the NICHOLAS AIR Membership base, will be readily available to Members mid-January in time for President’s Day weekend, ski trips, and leading into Spring Break.

NICHOLAS AIR, headquartered in Oxford, Miss., owns and operates one of the largest fleets of Phenom 100, CJ3+, Phenom 300E, Citation Latitude, Challenger 350, and now Gulfstream G600 aircraft, making them available anywhere in North America with as little as 24 hours’ notice. The aircraft, which have an average age of under five years, are backed by a renowned reputation for world-class customer service standards that extends from the Members Services staff and out to the flight line. 

Air Lease Corporation Activity Update for the Fourth Quarter of 2023

This week, Air Lease Corporation announced an update on aircraft investments, sales, and significant financing activities occurring in the fourth quarter of 2023.

As of December 31, 2023, ALC’s fleet was comprised of 463 owned aircraft and 78 managed aircraft, with 334 new aircraft on order from Boeing and Airbus set to deliver through 2029.

Aircraft Investments

• Delivered 22 new aircraft from ALC’s order book including six Airbus A220s, one Airbus A320neo, eight Airbus A321neos, two Airbus A330-900neos, two Boeing 737-8s, and three Boeing 737-9s.
• Aircraft investments in the quarter totalled approximately $1.2 billion.

Sales

• Sold seven aircraft to third-party buyers.
• Aircraft sales proceeds for the quarter totalled approximately $440 million.

Financing

• Issued C$500 million of 5.4% senior unsecured medium-term notes.
• Upsized senior unsecured revolving credit facility to $7.4 billion from $7.2 billion.

Air Cargo Demand Up 8.3% in November

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for November 2023 global air cargo markets indicating the strongest year-on-year growth in roughly two years. This is partly due to weakness in November 2022, but also reflects a fourth consecutive month of strengthening demand for air cargo.

Global demand for air cargo, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), increased by 8.3% compared to November 2022. For international operations, demand growth was 8.1%. 

Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTKs), was up 13.7% compared to November 2022 (+11.6% for international operations). Most of the capacity growth continues to be attributable to the increase in belly capacity as international passenger markets continue their post-COVID recovery.

Compared to November 2019 (pre-COVID-19), demand is down 2.5% while capacity is up 4.1%.

Some indicators to note include: 

•    Both the manufacturing output and new export order Purchasing Managers Indexes (PMIs) – two leading indicators of global air cargo demand—continued to hover just below the 50-mark in November with small positive movements indicating a deceleration of the economic slowdown. 

•    Global cross-border trade recorded growth for the third consecutive month in October, reversing its previous downward trend.

•    Inflation in major advanced economies continued to soften in November as measured by the corresponding Consumer Price Index (CPI), centering around 3% year-on-year for the United States, Japan, as well as the EU, in November. In the meantime, China exhibited negative annual growth in its CPI for the second time in a row.

 

•    Air cargo yields (including surcharges) continued their significant upward trend (+8.9% since October). Rising yields are in line with improving air cargo load factors over recent months. This could be tied in part to booming e-commerce deliveries from China to western markets.

“November air cargo demand was up 8.3% on 2022—the strongest year-on-year growth in almost two years. That is a doubling of October’s 3.8% increase and a fourth month of positive market development. It is shaping up to be an encouraging year-end for air cargo despite the significant economic concerns that were present throughout 2023 and continue on the horizon,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

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November 2023 (% year-on-year) World share1 CTK ACTK CLF (%-pt)2 CLF (level)3 Total Market 100.0% 8.3% 13.7% -2.3% 46.7% Africa 2.0% 3.9% 14.0% -4.1% 42.1% Asia Pacific 32.4% 13.8% 29.6% -6.6% 47.9% Europe 21.8% 6.7% 6.5% 0.1% 57.0% Latin America 2.7% 4.2% 7.7% -1.2% 36.3% Middle East 13.0% 13.5% 15.4% -0.8% 46.9% North America 28.1% 1.8% 4.0% -0.9% 40.8%

1% of industry CTKs in 2022   2year-on-year change in load factor   3Load Factor Level

November Regional Performance (total market)

Asia-Pacific airlines saw their air cargo volumes increase by 13.8% in November 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. This performance was significantly above the previous month’s growth of 7.6%. Available capacity for the region’s airlines increased by 29.6% compared to November 2022 as more belly capacity came online with the removal of COVID-19 restrictions.

North American carriers had the weakest demand growth in November with a 1.8% increase (YoY) in cargo volumes. This was, nonetheless, a significant improvement in performance compared to October’s -1.8% contraction. Capacity increased by 4.0% compared to November 2022.

European carriers saw their air cargo volumes increase by 6.7% in November compared to the same month in 2022. This was a stronger performance than in October (1.0%). Capacity increased 6.5% in November 2023 compared to 2022.

Middle Eastern carriers had the strongest performance in November 2023, with a 13.5% year-on-year increase in cargo volumes. This was similar to the significant improvement noted in the previous month’s performance (+13.0%). Capacity increased 15.4% compared to November 2022.

Latin American carriers experienced a 4.2% increase in cargo volumes compared to November 2022, very similar to the 4.0% year-on-year increase recorded for October. Capacity in November was up 7.7% compared to the same month in 2022.

African airlines saw their air cargo volumes increase by 3.9% in November 2023, slightly improved compared to October’s +2.9% growth performance. Capacity was 14.0% above November 2022 levels.

Strong performance from Avolon

-  Placed orders for 200 new aircraft including 100x A321neo, 80x 737MAX and 20x A330neo;

 

-  Entered into letters of intent for the sale and leaseback of 51 new aircraft;

 

-  Delivered, transitioned and sold a total of 104 aircraft;

 

-  Raised US$4.9 billion of new financing and increased total revolving debt capacity to
US$6.1 billion; and

 

-  Investment Grade ratings affirmed by Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and KBRA with Fitch moving Avolon’s BBB- rating to Positive outlook.

 

Avolon, a leading global aviation finance company, issues an update for the fourth quarter (‘Q4’) and 2023 full year (‘FY’).

Andy Cronin, CEO Avolon, commented:  “Strengthening market conditions allowed us to place our orderbook and used aircraft at accretive lease rates while underwriting US$4bn of new volume through the sale and leaseback market. Our balance sheet scale allowed us to order a further 200 new technology aircraft which strengthens our delivery pipeline and growth into the next decade.”

Joanna Geraghty to be next CEO of JetBlue

JetBlue Airways has announced that Joanna Geraghty, currently the company’s president and chief operating officer, will succeed Robin Hayes as chief executive officer, effective February 12, 2024. Hayes will continue to serve on the company’s Board of Directors until that time, at which point Geraghty will join the Board. Hayes will serve as a strategic advisor to the company over the coming months.

Hayes said: “It’s bittersweet to retire from this airline I love, but I will always feel a part of the JetBlue team and be rooting for its continued success. For nearly 35 years – both at British Airways and here at JetBlue – I’ve loved working in this industry. However, the extraordinary challenges and pressure of this job have taken their toll, and on the advice of my doctor and after talking to my wife, it’s time I put more focus on my health and well-being. I am deeply grateful for these many exciting years and I feel very lucky to have worked at an airline with a brand, culture, and team that are simply unlike any other in the world.

“It has been a privilege to lead JetBlue for the past nine years, and I am proud of all we have accomplished. With a rigorous succession plan in place, the board and I are confident that Joanna is more than ready given her critical role in running JetBlue’s day-to-day business and positioning the airline for success. She guided the operation through the most turbulent time in airline history, has overseen the development and execution of new commercial initiatives, and has tirelessly worked to make JetBlue a better place for our crewmembers and customers. She has been actively engaged in our integration planning with respect to our proposed Spirit transaction. In addition, Joanna and the team have developed a strong plan for JetBlue as we work to return to profitability. For all these reasons, I know the airline is well equipped to continue driving progress and I can pass the baton with confidence knowing she is the right leader at the right time for our airline.”

Peter Boneparth, chair of JetBlue’s Board, said, “On behalf of the entire Board, I want to congratulate Joanna and thank Robin for his contributions and outstanding leadership. Robin guided the airline through significant change and innovation, caring for the unique JetBlue culture while also instilling a value creation mindset across the organization and positioning us for sustainable future growth. We especially appreciate Robin’s willingness to continue to extend his tenure through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID crisis, and then again as we pursued our plan for the transformational Spirit acquisition.

Sabre and IAG expand partnership with multi-year distribution agreement including NDC content

Sabre Corporation, a leading software and technology provider to the global travel industry, has entered into a multi-year distribution agreement with International Airlines Group (IAG) that will expand their existing partnership and further promote modern travel retailing practices.

The agreement will allow Sabre-connected travel buyers and agencies to sell traditional EDIFACT content as well as having competitive access to NDC offers from British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling – including Additional Price Points and ancillaries – through the Sabre travel marketplace globally. This enhanced content will provide travel agencies with a wider range of options to compare and shop for, while travelers will benefit from an improved experience with more choice and transparency. Sabre and IAG's airlines are working closely together and will communicate as NDC content is rolled out to Sabre-connected travel agencies on a carrier-by-carrier basis.

The agreement between Sabre and IAG underscores the industry's shift towards modern travel retailing, where airlines can differentiate their offerings and provide more personalized experiences to travelers. Both Sabre and IAG are committed to advancing the NDC standard as a key component in the industry's evolution towards modern airline retailing enabled by offers and orders.

Rocket Lab USA has set the launch window for its first mission of 2024.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. has set the launch window for its first mission of 2024.

Rocket Lab will also attempt to recover Electron’s first stage from the mission in next step for reusability.

The ‘Four of a Kind’ mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than January 18 between 19:15-20:00 NZT (January 18 between 06:15-07:00 UTC) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The mission will deploy four Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellites for Spire Global, Inc’s (Spire) customer NorthStar Earth & Space (NorthStar). NorthStar´s satellites, built and operated by Spire, will be the first to simultaneously monitor all near-Earth orbits from space, delivering a radically enhanced level of SSA services to the global satellite community, with timely and precise information for space object detection, tracking, orbit determination, collision avoidance, navigation, and proximity alerts.

As a secondary mission, Rocket Lab will be attempting to splash down and retrieve Electron’s first stage as part of the Company’s plan to evolve Electron into a reusable rocket. After launch and stage separation, Electron’s first stage will return to Earth under a parachute and splash down in the Pacific Ocean several hundred kilometers down range from Launch Complex 1. Rocket Lab’s recovery vessel will extract the stage from the water for transportation back to Rocket Lab’s production complex where it will undergo detailed analysis. Rocket Lab is not launching any pre-flown engines as part of this mission.

“With each recovery mission we iterate toward Electron reusability and with recent launches we’ve made significant leaps forward with more successful splashdowns, recoveries and the first launch of a pre-flown Rutherford engine,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “We’re looking forward to putting advanced heat-shielding and waterproofing systems to the test on this mission as one of the final steps before re-flying an entire first stage. To launch an advanced mission like this with Spire as a mission partner is a real privilege, as they were on our very first orbital mission in 2018. To be partnered up again and both still pushing boundaries with new technology and capabilities all these years later is a great full circle moment.”

The American Airlines AAdvantage program continues to lead the travel rewards industry in 2024

The award-winning AAdvantage® program is the largest and world's first loyalty program that gives members access to unparalleled experiences, with more ways to earn and use miles, and more rewards and status benefits.

“There has never been a better time to be a member in the award-winning AAdvantage program. American has built a travel rewards program that’s simple and rewarding for everyone,” said Scott Chandler, American’s Senior Vice President of Loyalty and Revenue Management. “We have one goal in mind: offer the best loyalty rewards program, unmatched. This means delivering true value for our members through rewards and the best experiences based on their engagement in the program.”

Throughout the new program year beginning March 1, 2024, American Airlines will continue to enhance the program so that loyalty with American goes even further for AAdvantage® members. Visit aa.com/programchanges to learn more about these updates and when they begin.

Earning made easy: AAdvantage® members have so many ways to earn miles and Loyalty Points

An AAdvantage® membership is your best travel companion. With recent additions to the AAdvantage® program like AAdvantage HotelsTM and AAdvantage EventsTM, members have more opportunities to earn rewards faster. And coming soon, members can earn miles when they pay with cash to upgrade to a premium cabin.

American is also adding a new Loyalty Point Reward choice: Get additional Loyalty Points toward AAdvantage® status, starting at the 15,000 Loyalty Point Reward level.

Loyalty Points needed to reach AAdvantage status and Loyalty Point Reward levels will stay the same for the upcoming qualification year. The status qualification year for 2024 begins on March 1, 2024, and runs through February 28, 2025. The breakdown of status and reward levels are on aa.com.

JetBlue announces President & COO Joanna Geraghty to succeed Robin Hayes, as CEO effective February 12, 2024

JetBlue Airways has announced that Joanna Geraghty, currently the company’s president and chief operating officer, will succeed Robin Hayes as chief executive officer, effective February 12, 2024. Hayes will continue to serve on the company’s Board of Directors until that time, at which point Geraghty will join the Board. Hayes will serve as a strategic advisor to the company over the coming months.

Hayes said: “It’s bittersweet to retire from this airline I love, but I will always feel a part of the JetBlue team and be rooting for its continued success. For nearly 35 years – both at British Airways and here at JetBlue – I’ve loved working in this industry. However, the extraordinary challenges and pressure of this job have taken their toll, and on the advice of my doctor and after talking to my wife, it’s time I put more focus on my health and well-being. I am deeply grateful for these many exciting years and I feel very lucky to have worked at an airline with a brand, culture, and team that are simply unlike any other in the world.

“It has been a privilege to lead JetBlue for the past nine years, and I am proud of all we have accomplished. With a rigorous succession plan in place, the board and I are confident that Joanna is more than ready given her critical role in running JetBlue’s day-to-day business and positioning the airline for success. She guided the operation through the most turbulent time in airline history, has overseen the development and execution of new commercial initiatives, and has tirelessly worked to make JetBlue a better place for our crewmembers and customers. She has been actively engaged in our integration planning with respect to our proposed Spirit transaction. In addition, Joanna and the team have developed a strong plan for JetBlue as we work to return to profitability. For all these reasons, I know the airline is well equipped to continue driving progress and I can pass the baton with confidence knowing she is the right leader at the right time for our airline.”

Peter Boneparth, chair of JetBlue’s Board, said, “On behalf of the entire Board, I want to congratulate Joanna and thank Robin for his contributions and outstanding leadership. Robin guided the airline through significant change and innovation, caring for the unique JetBlue culture while also instilling a value creation mindset across the organization and positioning us for sustainable future growth. We especially appreciate Robin’s willingness to continue to extend his tenure through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID crisis, and then again as we pursued our plan for the transformational Spirit acquisition.

1.6 million passengers traveled with SAS during December

1.6 million passengers travelled with SAS in December, a 6 percent increase compared with the same month last year. SAS’ capacity increased by almost 12 percent and RPK increased by 14 percent, compared to December 2022. The flown load factor for December was 73 percent.

“1.6 million passengers travelled with SAS in December, which represents a passenger volume increase of 6 percent compared to last year. In December, Skellefteå City Airport became the first individual airport in Sweden to join SAS’s Corporate Sustainability program, and we hope this partnership will inspire other companies to join and be part of the journey to transform aviation for generations to come. SAS is also expanding its flight offerings and increasing capacity in the summer traffic program. This summer, SAS will fly to over 130 destinations in more than 40 countries, with added frequencies to popular destinations in Europe, North America and Asia and nine new destinations in Europe,” says Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS

EVA Air orders over 30 new jets from Airbus.

Taiwan’s EVA Air has finalised a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of 18 long-range A350-1000s and 15 single-aisle A321neo. This sees the airline become the latest global carrier to select the A350-1000 for its future long haul requirements. In addition, the A321neo aircraft will bring new levels of efficiency for the carrier’s regional network.

Clay Sun, President of EVA Air said: “We have selected the Airbus aircraft following a thorough evaluation of the various models in each market segment. In both size categories we have selected the most modern and fuel efficient types, that offer the highest levels of passenger comfort. The aircraft also bring significant reductions in carbon emissions, which is in line with our company’s sustainability goals. For long-range operations the A350-1000 sets new standards in its class and will allow us to offer our passengers the best possible in-flight experience.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales, Commercial Aircraft, said: “This order marks a new phase in our relationship with EVA Air and we thank the airline for its confidence in Airbus. In the long range market, it’s another major endorsement for the A350-1000 as the natural replacement for previous generation aircraft in the larger widebody size category. The A350 is setting new standards across the board in terms of range, payload, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, while making an immediate contribution to reduced carbon emissions.” 

“We also thank EVA for reaffirming its commitment to the latest generation Airbus single aisle family with its first direct purchase of the A321neo and we look forward to working closely with the airline as it prepares for its new Airbus fleet.”

As the industry’s long-range leader, the A350 is available in two sizes, with the A350-900 typically seating up to 350 passengers in a standard three-class configuration and the larger A350-1000 seating up to 410 passengers. 

Powered by versions of the latest generation Rolls-Royce engines, the aircraft can fly up to 9,700 nautical miles / 18,000 kilometres non-stop, using 25% less fuel than previous generation types and with a similar reduction in carbon emissions. For passengers, the A350 offers the highest levels of in-flight comfort with the quietest cabin, new lighting systems and the latest in-flight connectivity. The reduced cabin pressure also ensures that passengers arrive in better shape.

Icelandair reports passenger numbers increased by 17% in 2023

In December 2023, Icelandair transported nearly 264,000 passengers, a 13% increase compared to December 2022. In the full year of 2023, the Company transported 4.3 million passengers, 17% more than in 2022.

In December, 30% of passengers were travelling to Iceland, 17% from Iceland, 45% were via passengers and 7% were travelling within Iceland. Seismic activity and volcanic eruption in the Southwest of Iceland had no impact on Icelandair’s flight schedule in December but international media coverage of these events negatively affected passenger demand, primarily on the market to Iceland. Despite that, load factor remained similar to December last year at 72.4%. On-time performance was 67%. On time performance and the number of passengers in December was significantly affected by the industrial action of Icelandic Air Traffic Controllers.

Bogi Nils Bogason, President & CEO of Icelandair said:   “In 2023, the number of passengers continued to increase, reaching similar numbers as in the record year 2019. This is the result of the tireless work and dedication of the Icelandair team throughout the year. I would like to thank them for their efforts during the year.

Looking ahead, we are excited for the year 2024. 

SkyCell partners with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo to provide ULD tracking and visibility

                   SkyCell, the purpose-led technology company transforming the pharmaceutical supply chain, has been selected by Air France KLM Martinair Cargo as its preferred unit load device (ULD) tracking partner. This latest partnership will see SkyCell deploy its state of the art, built for purpose IoTs across Air France KLM Martinair Cargo’s entire ULD fleet; providing the airline group with real-time visibility into its ULD operations on the SkyMind platform and driving significant operational and cost efficiencies.

The partnership comes as demand grows for cost-effective ULD solutions, as the combined expenses related to ULD loss and repair are estimated to reach USD 330 million worldwide annually. With SkyMind, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo gains complete control over ULD operations — mitigating the extensive manual efforts historically associated with tracing and tracking, leading to substantial time and cost savings, as well as boosting operational efficiency.

SkyMind utilises state-of-the-art technology, including advanced readers and tags, to provide airlines with real-time visibility into their entire ULD fleet. This visibility enables airlines to make informed decisions and operate proactively rather than reactively, resulting in improved operational efficiency. 

Nico Ros, CTO and co-founder SkyCell:  “We’re excited about our partnership with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo as we establish a new standard in technology for Air Cargo’s ULD (Unit Load Device) management. This achievement is made possible through our close cooperation with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo and the integration of SkyMind, our IoT-driven visibility platform with specialised ULD management. The partnership marks a major transformation in the airline industry towards automation, with a strong focus on efficient ULD management, streamlined dispositioning and improved asset utilisation.”

Adriaan den Heijer, EVP Air France-KLM Cargo and Managing Director Martinair:  “We’ve decided to invest in the latest asset tracking technology with SkyCell. A new technology solution, called SkyMind, has been developed. Implementing state-of-the-art tracking devices to locate our ULDs will not only enable us to track our assets but will also significantly enhance our operational quality. Real-time ULD tracking will enable us to address the issue of ULD losses, whether by ground handling partners or our valued customers, and will ensure seamless movement of cargo. With improved ULD management, we can optimise our operations and deliver exceptional service to our air cargo industry partners.”

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New route between Williamsport Regional Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport to start in May 2024.

Surf Air Mobility subsidiary Southern Airways Express will launch flights between Williamsport Regional Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport with a target start date in May 2024.

Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority will provide funding and services to subsidize and support the programme's establishment. The programme aims to provide the city of Williamsport and the surrounding Lycoming County community with easier, faster, and more affordable connections through their local airport.  By bringing consistent weekly service to this underutilized regional airport adjacent to the city’s centre, travellers arriving or departing via Washington Dulles will be able to skip the multi-hour drive and fly directly to or from Williamsport Regional Airport on one of ten weekly flights. This scheduled service will be the first commercial flights at Williamsport in over two years.

“Williamsport, Pennsylvania is at the forefront of a new era in regional mobility. Their forward-thinking approach helps to expand access to convenient air travel that connects their community with the larger commercial air service networks,” said Stan Little, CEO of Surf Air. “There are hundreds of underutilized yet incredibly convenient airports across the U.S. Our mission at Surf Air is clear: we’re finding innovative solutions to the lack of viable regional connectivity. We plan to continue exploring these types of partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, with private institutions, and with international partners.”

Artemis Aerospace opens two US hubs

Global aviation component solutions specialist Artemis Aerospace has opened two new hubs in the US.

Located in Miami, FL and Los Angeles, CA, Artemis's stateside hubs will streamline orders and deliveries for US-based customers and provide a quicker and even more efficient service.

The company, which was established in 1999 by Jim and Deborah Scott and has headquarters in the UK, operates a global, solution-led service. Its flexible approach has earned the company an enviable reputation across multiple disciplines, including component supplies, component repairs, lessor support, flight simulation hardware support, consignment stock management and global aircraft logistics.

Jim Scott, Owner, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Artemis Aerospace, said:

"This marks a new chapter for Artemis as we strengthen our global offer. Combined with our establishment of US banking facilities for the convenience of US customers, our new hubs will guarantee that we can continue to provide the highest quality service across the Americas, shorten delivery times and offer quick and convenient solutions."

To find out more about Artemis Aerospace, visit https://www.artemisaerospace.com/.

Artemis Aerospace offers an innovative approach to component solutions for the aviation sector. Established in 1999, the company has earned a reputation for outstanding customer service by solving problems and providing a range of realistic options that offer customers the flexibility and freedom to choose a solution that suits their timescale and budget.

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1.5 million passengers in 2023 for PLAY

PLAY Airlines carried 114,265 passengers in December 2023, which is a 53% increase from December 2022 when PLAY carried 74,620 passengers. PLAY had a load factor of 76.2% in December 2023 and of all passengers travelling with PLAY, 24.5% were flying from Iceland, 28% were flying to Iceland and 47.6% were VIA passengers.

Air-traffic controllers in Iceland had a series of strikes in the month of December which affected PLAY´s on-time performance. The on-time performance in December was 59% but PLAY´s on-time performance for the year of 2023 was 83%.

This on-time performance percentage means that out of 9,600 flights for the whole year of 2023, over 8,000 flights were on time, and the average delay on these flights was 5.4 minutes.

When corrected for the air traffic controllers strike, the on-time performance for the year of 2023 would have been around 86%.

Ancillary revenue rising and forward bookings looking strong

PLAY carried 1.5 million passengers in 2023 and had a load factor of 83.4%. Of passengers flying with PLAY in 2023, 26.7% were flying from Iceland, 32.3% were flying to Iceland and 41% were VIA passengers.

Average ancillary revenue per passenger continues to increase. It was 29% higher in December 2023 compared to December 2022.

Despite reporting that the seismic activity in the Reykjanes peninsula would have a negative effect on the load factor of December 2023 and January and February 2024, the demand has had a robust pick up in the past few weeks and sales from the beginning of January 2024 have been very promising for the spring and summer of 2024.